New access stairs deliver multiple benefits
For those exercise junkies in the up-market Perth suburb of Applecross, the impressive new set of steps installed by Landmark at Heathcote Reserve are a welcome sight. But the news is also good for nearby residents.
Wider and safer than the previous aging, and increasingly dangerous, timber version, joggers can now scale the 11.5 metres – from bottom to top, via 57 risers – with greater confidence in search of that fitness boost. And then, run down and repeat.
The modular aluminium stairs that connect the Swan River foreshore and walkway to Heathcote Reserve at the top, represent a significant achievement in planning and execution by Landmark Products and the City of Melville.
One of the more challenging requirements of the brief was to demolish the previous steps, and replace them, all within the existing footprint of the legacy structure.
The design and installation teams at Landmark combined their skills to deliver the project with zero disruption to nearby trees and bush.
The City of Melville identified the need to replace the 20-year-old timber steps during an audit in 2015, and Landmark won the project through offering a full design and manufacturing service, as well as a through the quality of their consultation and design proposal.
The combination of materials used, were carefully chosen in consultation with the City of Melville to fit the purpose.
Although located just metres from the Swan River, the predominately aluminium structure will require no maintenance and boasts a 100-year lifecycle.
The risers and lookout platform, made from FRP (fibre reinforced plastic) are impervious to decay, fire resistant, non-slip and are stronger than aluminium and steel of equivalent weight and shape.
Importantly for residents who live nearby the new staircase, FRP does not “drum” or reverberate (like metal), ensuring little or no noise from the fitness community’s significant use of the stairs in the early and late hours.
The Diamond Piers* and pre-constituted (off-site) concrete footings used meant no on-site concreting, no heavy equipment and its accompanying noise, and therefore, minimal site disruption. These types of footings are easily removable, if the need arises.
The construction included a 3×3.5 metre lookout platform toward the top of the structure, giving some great views of the city and Swan River, and ModWood cap-rails and aluminium balustrades throughout.
As part of the service, Landmark Products assisted the City of Melville with all relevant compliance required, including the Swan River Trust Permits, Building Surveyor Certificate of Design Compliance, Access Consultants Assessment and building permits.
* Diamond Pears – pre-constituted diamond-shaped footings which consist 4 HDG steel pins, each driven into ground between 1.6m to 1.8m depth.
